She filled the tub because she wanted to soak instead of just taking a shower. She wanted to totally shake off the hospital smell away from her body.

When the bathtub was filled with her desired level of water, she threw in some bath salt before stepping in. She leaned on her back, coffee in hand, and enjoyed the warm water.

As she tried to enjoy her quiet moment, her thoughts were drawn to Noah. After this trip, she has to get ready for her internship at his company.

She knew she would be busy, though she has no idea yet what research project she would get involved with at the ANAT Pharma and Co. laboratory.

But she is a graduating student, she has a lot on her plate. And at the same time, she really wanted to continue her studies and get a master's degree.

So many things to do, and she has no time to spare for other unnecessary things, such as worrying over a guy's feelings for her.

She knew that much, yet, her heart has a mind of its own. Separated from the one inside her head.

She put her coffee mug on the bathroom floor, then inhaled deeply. She held her breath and submerged herself underwater. She counted to ten before pushing her head back to the surface, releasing the air in her lungs into her mouth. And repeat. She finds that doing this helps her to clear her mind.

When she thought she had enough, she pulled the bathtub stopper and got out. She stood under the shower for a quick warm wash. Then got out of the bathroom.

Luke's teasing about her expecting Noah echoed in her mind whilst choosing something to wear.

She doesn't want Luke to have something to tease her about so she settled for simple white cotton shorts and a pale yellow off-shoulder blouse.

She put sunscreen on her face and dabbed her lips a tinted moisturizing lip balm. She checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before leaving her room.

She was surprised to be welcome with silence when she got out of her room. She was expecting Noah and Lucille to be here by now. But no one was in the house, not even Luke.

She creased her eyebrows and wondered where Luke went.

She walked to the kitchen to wash the coffee mug she used, then seeing that the coffee maker is still on, she helped herself to another cup of coffee.

She was still wondering where Luke went, and absentmindedly walked to the balcony. She could see a table was already set up but where --

"Surprise!"

Lucille jumped out from hiding herself behind the sunbed and saw Noah and Luke were standing at the far end of the balcony, watching Lucille with her chosen prank.

"Well, you got me there. I thought you were all abducted by some aliens."

"Aliens?!" she exclaimed incredulously.

I can see the breakfast table from the living room. It was perfectly set up with food! But I didn't see anyone, thus I thought you were abducted by some aliens and held Luke at gunpoint to make waffles for them."

She nodded solemnly before pulling her chair at the breakfast table, "I could see uncle Luke taken away by some extraterrestrial to force him to cook waffles for them. This is really, really good."

"I, hundred percent agree. These waffles are amazing." she grinned at the girl as she took a seat where there was a plate of untouched waffles.

Noah and Luke returned to their respective seat, seeing that the prank was successfully carried.

"Little Miss Jessie, do you have free time today?" she asked as she waited for her father to finish slicing her waffles for her.

"Hmm, I don't have any plan for today. Why do you ask?"

"I wanted to watch Howl's Moving Castle with you." She glanced up at her father before returning her gaze to her, "Only if you are free," she smiled.

"It's a good film. Sure I would love to," she nodded. After taking her first bite of waffle, she closed her eyes and savored the smooth and creamy goodness of Luke's waffles.

She blushed when she opened her eyes and saw Noah staring at her face. She quickly averted her eyes and began cutting the bacon into bite-sized pieces.

"I apologize for asking you to watch a movie with Lucille when you might just want to take a rest today. It's just that tomorrow, we are flying back to the states, and Lucille has to get ready to return to her mother."

"Oh, I don't mind," she looked at Lucille and smiled, "It's one of my favorite movies. I don't mind watching it again."

"Thank you, Little Miss Jessie!"

"Your villa or mine?" she asked an overly excited Lucille.

"I think it's best if we watch it at your place," Luke told Lucille before the child could pick her choice.

He wanted to get out of their villa for a while to get away from the memory of the bouquet of flowers.

Jess gave her a puzzled look but he averted his eyes.

"We should watch that movie after we finished our breakfast!"

Lucille clapped her hands in excitement. The idea of watching the movie with other people excites her. She mostly watches her favorite movies alone because her mother is always busy with work.

For the first time, she will watch a movie with someone who is also a Ghibli fan.

"Lucille, can you help with the dishes?"

Luke stood up and gathered their empty places and took Lucille inside the villa for Noah has been staring at Jess like he has something important to tell her.

Noah gave Luke a grateful smile.

When Lucille and Luke were out of earshot, Noah asked, "Would you like to fly with us?"

She creased her eyebrows on him, "No. We still have two days left of our vacation.

"I see," he murmured.

Jess wanted to take back what she said, seeing the dejected expression on Noah's face.

"I didn't know when I would have the time to take another vacation," she said in an attempt to lighten his mood.

"I understand," he said, keeping a morose expression on his face. He saw Jess was affected by it.